Forecasters warn of severe weather outbreak in central US

This is the Weather Underground forecast for Tuesday, April 26, 2016, for the United States. Showers and thunderstorms are expected over most of the Plains, with severe storms and flash flooding possible. The Northeast and Ohio Valley will also have a chance of rain and storms. Much of the Rockies will have a chance of showers. (Weather Underground via AP)
(The Associated Press)

The Storm Prediction Center in Norman, Oklahoma, says the most dangerous weather is predicted for a 55,000-square-mile area stretching from northern Oklahoma to southern Nebraska, including the Oklahoma City area.

Forecasters say that area could see powerful winds, tornadoes and hail as large as baseballs or softballs on Tuesday afternoon and evening.

In all, 24 million people are at a slight risk or higher of experiencing severe weather Tuesday in an area from San Antonio to Omaha, Nebraska. In the east, a separate storm system could bring thunderstorms, strong winds and hail to Philadelphia, Baltimore and Washington, D.C., but no outbreak is expected there.